From winemakers to beer with 'Pure Tatamagoodness'

The Jost family trade in Tatamagouche has shifted from making wine with the opening of their own brand of Tatamagoodness craft beer.

After three decades in the wine industry, Hans Christian Jost now spends his days brewing hops at the Tatamagouche Brewing Company store.

He sold Jost Vineyards two years ago.

"Started thinking about it within a few days or weeks, actually. I realized I didn't enjoy golf that much and I'm too young to retire and went from there, he said.

He opened his new hops-filled venture with the help of his daughter, Christiane.

Together, they opened the Tatamagouche Brewing Company this week.

Their slogan:Pure Tatamagoodness.

"We opened on Tuesday and hoped for the best. And it blew all of our expectations away, said Christiane.

Hans said a lot of the process involved in making wine is similar to making beer.

But to give their beer an edge, they are using as many local ingredients as possible.

Theyve even planted their own hops.

After sampling the product, Ian Glass said he had strict orders from his friends in Dartmouth to stock up on refillable growlers.

He said he's been telling everyone he can about Hippie Dippie Pale Ale and Butcher Block Red.

"It's an attraction and it's also something to do. So it's a great venue for the community to have this and to add to what else is available here, said Glass.

But for now, the Josts say their plan is to just get through the summer with enough beer for everyone.

"Looking forward into the fall, we hope to offer a darker beer that will be part of our regular beers and then from there we'll have seasonals to add a fourth beer, said Christiane.

Several restaurants across the province have already called, asking to sell the Tatamagoodness.